Our expat sites

ITV1 is currently working on the Second Series of "No Place Like Home", a documentary
looking at British Expats who are thinking about returning home. It's a
straightforward, feel-good programme, simply investigating the dilemma that many
expats face, and will hopefully be of help to anyone who is considering going
back to the UK.

They are looking to start filming in June and the show will be on air
in November 2008 on ITV.

Fever Media, the company in charge of the programme, has sent us this announcement:

ARE YOU A BRIT LIVING ABROAD

ARE YOU MISSING THE UK?

IN A DILEMMA ABOUT WHETHER TO COME HOME TO THE UK?

If the answer is YES to any of these questions then we want you!

We are making a documentary series about expats called ‘No Place Like Home?’ We are keen to hear from British families who are living abroad, but are now thinking about returning permanently to Britain.

Perhaps you miss your family and friends, or could you be longing for the simple things? The sense of humour, the warm beer & the proper cuppa!

BUT...You're also concerned that you might regret leaving all the good things about living abroad if you do go back to the UK.

We are offering you the opportunity to explore the reality of coming home by flying you back to the UK to ‘test-drive’ life in Britain.

This fact-finding visit will give you the opportunity to see loved ones but also equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision about whether to remain an expat or return to the UK for good.

You’ll be flown back to the UK and given the opportunity to ‘test-drive’ the reality of living in the UK.

Relocation expert Catherine Gee will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether to remain an expat or come home for good.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact Kaaj Mehta as soon as possible by email: kaajal.mehta @fevermedia.co.uk
Or call +44 (0) 207 428 5755

You’ve moved into your
new house, gone shopping, explored the town center, visited the library,
marveled at the architecture and then that nagging question looms up again,
“What do I do now?” You’re friendless, jobless, clueless. But not to worry,
things aren’t that hopeless. Here’s what you can do to keep your sanity and
maybe even your career on the right track!

Start with the
language: You’ll feel extremely proud of yourself in your first week
in your new home country. This might have something to do with the fact that
you can utter your own version of ‘good morning’ and ‘thank you’ in the local
language. Unfortunately there’s more to it than those two precious words. If
you plan to stay in your new country for more than a year, join a language course.
The sooner you learn the language, the faster you get on with life. Most
companies sponsor private courses for expatriate spouses. This however depends
on the contract, company and the country you’re living in. If it’s not part of
the deal, check your options on the internet. Most language schools tend to be
in centrally located areas. Take a stroll in the city centre and you’re bound
to stumble upon one of them. (More)

India is booming. With a rapidly developing economy, the country is attracting both foreign capital and talent with equal ease. With a GDP of approximately 8.5% growth this year, India offers an optimism only few others can match. This has led to a profusion of jobs at all levels in a variety of sectors. It is estimated that this year alone, India will create about 1025000 new jobs, an impressive figure that’s only marginally lower than the previous year. And here’s the best news… the growth is not concentrated in just one area but has had a spill-over effect into a range of different sectors. Let’s take a deeper look at the hottest sectors in one of the hottest economies today. (More)

Germany has long
been a shrine for beer lovers from around the world. Two of the biggest
and
most popular beer festivals in the world take place in Germany. The
most popular is Munich’s world renowned Oktoberfest which strangely
enough takes place
in September. The second most famous beer festival is the Stuttgart
Beer
Festival. There are officially two Stuttgart festivals, one in spring
and one
in autumn. And here’s the good news – the Stuttgart Spring Festival is
just
around the corner. Let’s take a look at these three big and happening
places to
be if you enjoy guzzling gallons of your favourite brew. (More)

HSBC Bank International today unveils an ambitious project to conduct the largest ever survey of expats.

The project aims to give more than 2000 expats across four continents the opportunity to have their say on what life is really like for people living and working away from home. The survey will look at opportunities that come with starting a new life in a foreign country away from home, and the challenges and difficulties that they may face at home and at work.

The survey will also reveal how new technology helps expats start their new lives and manage their professional and social affairs. It will also find out how expatriate children’s lives differ from the lives of the friends they leave behind.

Paul Say, Head of Marketing and Communications at HSBC Bank International, said: “Living in foreign countries means expats often don't have the normal outlets to express their point of view about their unique lifestyle. This project aims to gather these viewpoints and capture them on an unprecedented scale. As well as giving voice to the expat population, the study will provide new insight on their needs which will help HSBC Bank International to improve its services and products for its customers.”

Europe was founded on principles of tolerance and freedom of
movement for the population and the business. Brussels was lobbying the
European Community to become the host of most of the European
institutions and is now broadly seen as the capital of Europe.
Therefore, it is awkward to see that it is actually in the country
symbol of Europe (one of the sixth founders), and mainly in the
neighbourhood of the main city, that we observe now all the signs of
communitarian and racism. (More)

Last time I was in Dubai, my return plane to UK was cancelled. Bad luck, but the company was not willing to offer any help better than "come back in 2 days" [1]. There are protective rules for passengers who suffer such uncomfortable situation. Unfortunately it depends whether you are flying in Europe, US or the rest of the world.

In Europe, the European Union Air Passenger Rights rules for delayed and cancel flights apply to all passengers with a confirmed reservation for any flight taking off from any EU airport or flying to a European airport on a EU member's plane company.

Passengers who are delayed for more than 5 hours may request a refund of their ticket and free accommodation, but only if they decide not to travel. In case of cancellation, you are entitled to compensation of € 125 for short flights to € 600 for long flights, and have the choice of rerouting or refund, plus meals, refreshments, 2 phone calls. (More)

Amsterdam
is probably as well known for its canals, tulips and bikes, as for its
red light district and coffeeshop (as the name does not explain
clearly, places where you can legally smoke cannabis/marijuana as well
has having a drink).

But now the area known for its sex-shops,
sex-shows and brothels, is slowly changing, with the voews of the city
council which has decided recently to clean up the expanding sleaze,
crime and violence in the historic district (mostly blaming Eastern
European pimps and international organized crime attracted by the
Netherlands' lenient policies). The city bought 5 brothels and let for
free for 1 year the 18 windows (out of 500 according to the IHT) to
young artists, photographers and fashion designers. (More)

Dating from the age of the empire, the non-domicile status was designed during the Napoleonic wars in the hope to get cash from workers in America. The law lets foreigners (and their British born children) claim a non-domiciled status and therefore put aside some of their wealth and income from Britain. Thus, 10% of the population living in Britain (bankers, but also east European workers) are entitled to use it , whereas the rest of the population are liable for tax on their income and gain worldwide. (More)

2006 was definitely a big year for Petite Anglaise: "dumped, dooced and outed, but also snagged a book deal" according to her own words.

Petite
Anglaise was blogging under anonymous coverage about her life in Paris,
that she made home 10 years ago, the familiar expat gripes, and
sometime evolving to talk about her relationship and single motherhood,
writing always with talent that was awarded several times by satin pyjamas.

Catherine Sanderson (the English Bridget Jones as she was described by the Daily Telegraph) became even more famous the day when the stupid-old fashion company where she was working in, the now condemned British accountancy firm Dixon Wilson, decided to fire her for gross misconduct [1] (that is the name they gave for having a blog). (More)